|
|
Post by atsfan on Jun 15, 2013 13:25:43 GMT -8
Lately I find myself doing something 5 plus years ago would never happen. I visit a train store, and leave without buying anything. This is new store or one I don't get to often. The combination of myself being well supplied already, lack of new products, high prices on the new products, "I can get it for much cheaper elsewhere", and the lack of basic supplies such as track often allow me to leave without a bag full of goodies. Another factor is some stores don't have much new products (or any) saying I should have pre ordered it a year ago if I wanted it. At that, I usually depart. Just an observation. Added to the lack of any train stores to start with, and it makes for a changing hobby.  |
|
|
|
Post by Brakie on Jun 15, 2013 15:04:34 GMT -8
Been there,done that..I just don't need that much new stuff any more. I look over the few new items and leave without making a purchase.
|
|
|
|
Post by valenciajim on Jun 15, 2013 17:03:50 GMT -8
EXACTLY! I have been hobby shops exactly twice this year. Once to pick up something I pre-ordered. The second time was when I went to Caboos Hobbies while in Denver. Puchased a few items, mostly super-detailing parts.
|
|
|
|
Post by ambluco on Jun 15, 2013 17:57:54 GMT -8
What's the point of saying you aren't buying something/going somewhere?
It's like if two coworkers were chatting in the lunchroom and as you walk up you hear one say they are going grocery shopping tonight.
Then you reply "I'm not going shopping tonight."
They would look at you weird.
When you say you ARE buying something you form a connection with others and those people know there are others out there who can share info.
Do you also go on medical boards and tell people you don't have the disease they are all talking about?
|
|
|
|
Post by bigblow69 on Jun 15, 2013 18:21:24 GMT -8
If its new i had to probably order it 18+ month ago. I am like a railroading black hole at the center of our galaxy consuming all containers, grain cars, well cars, ethanol cars and dumping the useless stuff. Need new track to finance the expansion so it must go. I have seen the light and the trains must roll!
|
|
|
|
Post by fr8kar on Jun 15, 2013 19:09:39 GMT -8
For what it's worth, I had the same experience yesterday. I got off work and headed home but road construction put me off my usual path. Before long I realized I was near a hobby shop so I decided to drop by. I saw they were closed but a sign on the door indicated they had recently moved to a location only a couple miles from my house. I couldn't resist stopping by and checking in.
Turns out they had just gotten started on the move, since only about half the store was organized and stocked. On the bright side, it is a bigger space, so they are able to display the merchandise more effectively, in my opinion.
Like atsfan, I didn't buy anything. Part of the problem is that I need more Sergent couplers, Moloco draft gear parts and Tichy AB brake sets than I need another freight car or locomotive, and the first two on that list are only available online as far as I know. So maybe in my case it's a matter of product saturation; I have most of what I need/want so I'm not really likely to buy much anyway.
When I am in the market for something, I am willing to buy it from the hobby shop even if I can get it for a few bucks cheaper online. That wasn't the case yesterday, but if they start carrying those Bluford cabooses at my local hobby shop, I may leave there with a lighter wallet.
|
|
|
|
Post by Judge Doom on Jun 15, 2013 19:37:36 GMT -8
Had that happen once. Then went to another LHS and bought something.
Both hobby shops are still in business years later. What a surprise.
Also had that happen on a few LHS' online e-stores, they're still in business it seems.
I even looked at an LHS ad in MR for something, and didn't buy it.
I remember seeing that add again, so they were still in business.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brakie on Jun 16, 2013 2:08:09 GMT -8
Actually guys,I'm kinda interested in how many of us long time modelers enter a shop and walk out without making a purchase.
I would think sooner or later we reach the conclusion we don't need to buy much more.. I think many of us old geezers have reached that point and become more selective and therefore may leave the shop without making a purchase.
|
|
|
|
Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Jun 16, 2013 6:15:51 GMT -8
I came to this thread, read it and nearly didn't reply, but was in the neighborhood passing through.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2013 6:26:50 GMT -8
Whether a person makes a purchase or not, depends on that person's state of mind. If a person walks into the store, feeling very picky about what interests them, more than likely they are not going to make some type of purchase. If a person walks into a store with the mind set, they are going to buy SOMETHING, just because they want SOMETHING, guess what? You can be pretty much assured they are going to make a purchase.
A thread like this, is absolutely useless, as it doesn't measure how someone is feeling when they enter a store. When folks do not want to spend money, they more than likely will not. When people want to spend money they do and will.
|
|
|
|
Post by mlehman on Jun 16, 2013 9:56:14 GMT -8
Staying moderately on topic, much of what I do is narrowgauge. When I go into random hobby shops, it's to see the sights mostly anyway. Yes, I have standard gauge stuff, too, but like others have noted, my shelves are pretty well stocked at home. But I like to browse and usually I'll find something I can use just to help the folks keep the lights on for the length of my visit. For me, the glass is at least half full. I think the matter of finding things to buy is so personal that this is more about the OP, than the hobby shop he visited. Is it their fault he couldn't find something to buy? Not really. People can draw their own conclusions about the health of the hobby, but I'm not sure this is really a particularly revealing data point, more like one person's opinion. For them, it seems the glass is half-empty. Same amount of water in both glasses, though. YMMV  |
|
|
|
Post by fr8kar on Jun 16, 2013 10:21:41 GMT -8
A thread like this, is absolutely useless, as it doesn't measure how someone is feeling when they enter a store. When folks do not want to spend money, they more than likely will not. When people want to spend money they do and will. I disagree. A few of us replied sharing common experiences about trips to the hobby shop. I really don't see why anyone who doesn't wish to discuss this topic needs to come in and bomb the thread. I appreciate the fine work shown by you and others on this forum showcasing Chicago commuter equipment, but it's not of any interest to me. I don't pop in and talk about how useless those threads are. I might pat you on the back or try to offer something constructive, but - and maybe it's just the way I was brought up - ripping on the topic itself (and by extension, the people participating in it) is just bad manners. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2013 12:09:08 GMT -8
A thread like this, is absolutely useless, as it doesn't measure how someone is feeling when they enter a store. When folks do not want to spend money, they more than likely will not. When people want to spend money they do and will. I disagree. A few of us replied sharing common experiences about trips to the hobby shop. I really don't see why anyone who doesn't wish to discuss this topic needs to come in and bomb the thread. I appreciate the fine work shown by you and others on this forum showcasing Chicago commuter equipment, but it's not of any interest to me. I don't pop in and talk about how useless those threads are. I might pat you on the back or try to offer something constructive, but - and maybe it's just the way I was brought up - ripping on the topic itself (and by extension, the people participating in it) is just bad manners. My point is, people will FIND SOMETHING to buy when they they are in the mood. When someone just is just browsing and kicking tires, they may not find anything. Money is also a factor. When you have extra money to burn, finding something at a hobby shop is not that difficult, provided you are in a shop that has at least something in your interest. If you stop in a shop you've never been to before and its 99% auto, military, RC, etc. with very little to nearly zero train items. Its no surprise you didn't find something to buy. If your pennies are tight, doesn't necessarily mean the store didn't have sufficient stock, its just you couldn't justify spending the money. There are so many factors that govern our actions as far as to purchase or not to purchase. The broad paint brush of the this thread and its text, doesn't tell anyone reading WHAT they were looking for, how much money they were willing to spend or why the particular store in question didn't meet their criteria. Was it prices, didn't have what you wanted, poor staff, didn't really want to spend much money, poor stock and selection, etc. Did I miss something? I said this thread is useless, because we are dealing with just general one or two sentence replies which do not get to the root of why or the personal factors which guide our actions. We all have reasons why we do things or don't do things. Its just that in a public setting we may not want to share the whole truth for our actions, such as financial, work, family or other reasons. Not all stores are created equally either. My LHS is HO and N scale trains only. It has over a thousand freight cars, 100 locomotives, 100 passenger cars, figures, buildings, track, decoders, DCC systems, vehicles and more. It offers clinics on Tuesday evenings, does custom paint and kitbashing, DCC and sound installations and builds custom layouts. If you can't find SOMETHING at this store, you are either not in the mood to spend ANY money or your a stamp collector. |
|
|
|
Post by Brakie on Jun 16, 2013 12:23:08 GMT -8
Jim:I said this thread is useless, because we are dealing with just general one or two sentence replies which do not get to the root of why or the personal factors which guide our actions. We all have reasons why we do things or don't do things. Its just that in a public setting we may not want to share the whole truth for our actions, such as financial, work, family or other reasons.
---------------------------
Jim,Ok,I'll share..I'm 65 and have enough cars and locomotives to last me till the end of my run.
How much more do I need? The forth coming Walthers SW1 and a IM GP10 beyond that very little..Do I really need either one? Nope..I just want 'em.
|
|
|
|
Post by Donnell Wells on Jun 16, 2013 12:49:40 GMT -8
This thread was moved because it was based around the thoughts and opinions of the original poster, thus contributed no added value to the modeling board. The Crew Lounge is the appropriate place for thoughts and opinions indirectly related or not at all related to railroads and railroad modeling.
As far as moderating, csxt, let me worry about that. If you don't like my moderation, there are plenty of other model railroad related forums that might better suit your needs. Further, if you have a legitimate issue with atsfan, you need to email him directly and settle your differences in private. I am not going to overmoderate his, or anyone else's posts just because you don't like him/them. In fact, I consider your replies more "trollish" in nature than those of atsfan. I have yet to see you add any value to this forum, and if you joined soley to point fingers and create controversy regarding a certain member, then I'm afraid your reasoning for membership was misguided.
Donnell
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2013 13:10:05 GMT -8
Jim:I said this thread is useless, because we are dealing with just general one or two sentence replies which do not get to the root of why or the personal factors which guide our actions. We all have reasons why we do things or don't do things. Its just that in a public setting we may not want to share the whole truth for our actions, such as financial, work, family or other reasons. --------------------------- Jim,Ok,I'll share..I'm 65 and have enough cars and locomotives to last me till the end of my run. How much more do I need? The forth coming Walthers SW1 and a IM GP10 beyond that very little..Do I really need either one? Nope..I just want 'em. You have stated your reason why you don't walk in and buy something and I fully understand. It also means your not buying something isn't necessarily because of the store (poor service, lack of selection, price, etc.). The OP's statement seems to suggest that he was willing to buy, but the store didn't meet his needs. His statement is too broad and doesn't give any of us specifics of why it didn't meet his needs. All I'm asking for is some specifics as to WHY? I'm also interested in the specifics of the store as far as stock, percentage devoted to model railroad etc.. This can mean the difference between a purchase and a walk out the door. In the Green Bay area there are at least three shops I know of, one is a Hobbytown USA, the other is devoted primarily to O, and the last is the one I go to which is 100% HO and N scale trains. I have never found anything at Hobbytown in trains that interests me. Model trains must make up less than 5% of the stores inventory. So walking in and not buying something is extremely easy. The O scale shop has no HO, I've never even been to that store. But, I can ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING at my regular store. It could be small like decals, paint, scenery, scratch building materials or historical society magazines. If I feel like spending money it may be a larger purchase. But this store ALWAYS has SOMETHING. |
|
|
|
Post by mlehman on Jun 16, 2013 14:20:25 GMT -8
SNIP I'm also interested in the specifics of the store as far as stock, percentage devoted to model railroad etc.. This can mean the difference between a purchase and a walk out the door. In the Green Bay area there are at least three shops I know of, one is a Hobbytown USA, the other is devoted primarily to O, and the last is the one I go to which is 100% HO and N scale trains..SNIP Yep, this makes a big difference. On a not too recent trip to the UP (the place, not the RR) I knew I could talk the wife into one stop on the way through Green Bay, 1st time ever there. I did a quick lookup, either in my copy of MR or online, and found two likely candidates for a stop... Chose the wrong one.  I think I did buy a magazine or something, IIRC. Yes, nothing much for me, although someone in O would've been thrilled. I guess I can't figure out why it's the shop's fault in my case??? Or really in any other case, unless they're pretending to be Caboose Hoobies, and when you drive up they're really Pa in His Garage (which could still be good, mind you  ). If I must analyze -- please don't take these comments as addressed at anyone in particular, I think there's some of both in each of us, and I indulge in purchases from within the Venn diagram circles of each  -- I have to say that that it may come down to whether our brains are wired RTR or Kit/Scratchbuilt, or at least which is our dominant modeling style. I love my Blackstone stuff. I also know just what it takes to build such models consistently amazing, because I've done my share of that sort of thing and fallen short after much labor , but also been pleased to do better and better as time goes on  -- most of the time. If I see a handrail lose, I'd be inclined to fix it, rather than send it back. Not that there much of that at all with Blackstone locos and cars. And not that I mind that much fixing the more frequent issues found on stuff I purchase from other mfg's not quite as fastidious as Blackstone. If it's something that just won't buff out, well, I've never run into much problem getting some sort of adjustment. I try not to let it ruin my day. On the other hand, some folks are pretty much RTR oriented. That same lose grab that I'd say "No sweat!" to turns into a major faux pas that rates at least one thread to memorialize their disappointment for infinity on the web. Well, I guess they do, don't they? I generally have better things to do is what I think, but I gotta tell you we really shouldn't judge how important something is to someone else, even if we think it's not, because it is to them. That's called respect. And it should be mutual, of course, and I'm sure we all fall short. So what's your Model Brain more like?...RTR or Kit/Scratch? I don't want to label folks, although I've got my opinions just like everyone else about how some folks are. But I also think we can be that way and still respect both sides. Because we're always a mix of both, not one or the other. Maybe this is about self-resepct, too, appreciating how accepting others helps us respect our own skills and limitations. It's all trains to me.  |
|
|
|
Post by calzephyr on Jun 16, 2013 15:48:37 GMT -8
Many of us probably have been there and done that! I always visit Caboose Hobbies when I go to Denver and twice in recent years, did not find any thing I needed or wanted. That is not to say they did not have stock in the store, just my needs are not as great as they used to be. Larry
|
|
|
|
Post by Brakie on Jun 16, 2013 16:16:35 GMT -8
Jim:You have stated your reason why you don't walk in and buy something and I fully understand. It also means your not buying something isn't necessarily because of the store (poor service, lack of selection, price, etc.).
-----------------------------
Jim,I really didn't want to go there since I mention the shop in the past.The selection is ok if you are looking for odds and ends..New products is mostly freight cars and few engines.Nothing to get excited about.He can and will special order what you need and have it in 3-4 business days.
In Columbus I favor looking for odd short line boxcars by Bev-Bel/Athearn on the use rack..I do look over the newest models and may even buy a car or two that catches my eye.I will say after driving 60 miles I will find something to buy if its nothing more then a railroad DVD since it would be down right silly(stupid perhaps?) to make a 120 mile round trip and come home with a empty bag.
You may find it odd but,many modelers enter a hobby shop and leave without making a purchase and that's not exactly a CNN breaking news story.No reason need to be given since a modeler choose when and what to buy-even in a well stock hobby shop its called window shopping..I understand many modelers may even check out a model at their LHS and then go home and order it on line.Again not a breaking CNN news story since modelers would do that with mail order.
A note about "cliff hanger" topics or replies..I see those a lot on various forums.
I usually roll my eyes or scratch my head since some cliff hangers makes no sense at all and move on.
As far as this topic I can relate to it since I've been there/done that many times over the years..
|
|
|
|
Post by Gary P on Jun 19, 2013 4:14:06 GMT -8
This is a 'problem" that I wish I had....
Let me explain - there are no more local hobby shops that sell trains around here. (One sells some paint supplies, but mostly deals with R/C cars and planes.) The last one selling trains locally that I frequented closed up about 2 years ago, and now they sell at a few 'local' train shows and also a bit online, but his selelction is now very limited. When I travel, I try to go to hobby shops to check out what they've got. I usually wander in and try to buy something, but just because I want it, not because I need it. Typical impulse purchase!
|
|
|
|
Post by Brakie on Jun 19, 2013 8:26:23 GMT -8
I usually wander in and try to buy something, but just because I want it, not because I need it. Typical impulse purchase!
-----------------------------------
I use to do that a lot years ago--90% of the time its was MDC,Athearn or Bev-Bel Athearn IPD short line boxcars.That one "innocent" impulse purchase turn me into a IPD short line boxcar collector.
|
|
mlrr
Junior Member
Posts: 65 
|
Post by mlrr on Jul 30, 2013 4:48:35 GMT -8
I joke with the guys at MB Klein all the time although I haven't been able to make it in as much lately. They'll ask me (more so because they are about to close up shop and want to finalize all transactions for the day before closing the register; not to be/sound pushy) if I'm making a purchase that day and I reply "Talk to the folks in China", lol. They always get a kick out of that. I've made my share of spontaneous purchases here and there and they know I am a loyal customer/supporter.
Lately, like many more experienced modelers, I haven't had the need to acquire additional rollingstock (primarily due to space availability among other things). I also have money saved/appropriated for future releases and speculated future releases. So my priority is to those products that have not been released/announced yet but at some point will be. So since I'm sitting on all that cash, I can't afford to come off it for something that doesn't do as good a job of filling my modeling "needs". MBK does know that they are my first choice when those anticipated products are eventually released.
I'll walk into a LHS hoping to find something that I would like to purchase but often come out empty handed because I already have the minimum "necessity". I will however pick up some odds and ends here and there like replacement track, remote switches, wire, etc.
Anyway, that's my contribution...
|
|
|
|
Post by WP 257 on Aug 6, 2013 9:28:12 GMT -8
I have ordered from enough different mail order and internet dealers to know, for certain, the grass is not always greener.
Not always, but way too often, the models I receive from those dealers are models that somebody else probably rejected, for whatever minor annoying cosmetic reason.
I actually find that the models my favorite dealer gets in stock are consistently better looking (and have been handled less) than the models I receive in the mail from others.
For that reason I have no problem at all spending a little more to personally inspect the models and buy them in person from a good train store.
When I call my favorite dealer, ask if he has something, and he replies "no but I can have it for you by Monday", even though it costs a little more, I'll still buy it from him.
I ended up spending only about $40 more (most of which was tax) for the second HO BLI IC E6A this way, but it was worth it to get a brand new, un-handled by others, model.
|
|
TA462
Junior Member
Posts: 88
|
Post by TA462 on Aug 7, 2013 2:22:26 GMT -8
I've gone into numerous hobby shops and not purchased anything. I'm actually going to Toronto today to visit Credit Valley Railway and Cosmo Music. I don't need any train stuff except for buildings and I sure don't need another guitar or amp. Usually my purchases are impulse buys.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brakie on Aug 7, 2013 2:46:01 GMT -8
I have ordered from enough different mail order and internet dealers to know, for certain, the grass is not always greener. Not always, but way too often, the models I receive from those dealers are models that somebody else probably rejected, for whatever minor annoying cosmetic reason. I actually find that the models my favorite dealer gets in stock are consistently better looking (and have been handled less) than the models I receive in the mail from others. Actually they are the same new boxed models..A lot of today's models have QC problems that has been widely reported on this and other forums and on you tube. Why should I pay full MSRP and still roll the QC dice hoping I don't crap out? The last Athearn RTR boxcars I bought from my not so local hobby shop had at least one or two of the stirrups laying in the car's tray.Fixable yes,but, a touch of glue at the factory would have solved that issue. |
|
|
|
Post by WP 257 on Aug 7, 2013 8:20:39 GMT -8
Larry--
I know full well there are QA/QC issues with Chinese and Korean production, and that is sadly part of the story, but some (most) of the mail order dealers (who also have a retail store front) at one time or another ship out models as "brand new" that have been roughly handled by somebody who was "inspecting" them--and have obvious stuff broken (not from shipping) or were most likely a reject that they wouldn't or couldn't return to the importer.
Example: Earlier this year I purchased an SP Kodachrome Tunnel Motor "brand new" from an internet dealer, and it arrived with a cosmetic issue (ugly glue mark on dynamic brake grid housing) that was clearly visible to anyone, without removal of the clamshell. Since these are a relatively desirable item, and not that many folks still have them, it is obviously somebody's reject. The box certainly had shelf wear to indicate multiple people had "inspected" it.
I've even occasionally gotten a bad model from M.B. Klein. In one notable instance when I called to complain, they made it right and gave me a full refund with no hassle at all. In other instances I've "lived with" or done the best I could to "repair" the defects caused, often, by mishandling in the store.
Another recent example: Plastic lift rings broken off brand new BLI E-units cannot possibly be considered a "shipping"-related issue, as they are not in any contact with the inside styrofoam box. When I see them, I know some klutz handled the model prior to it being sent to me.
I don't ever pay MSRP and at the stores I frequent, I can reject something ordered in for me if it's not acceptable--that's why I like to buy in person.
Not everybody has the shop within a reasonable distance, so I'm fortunate that I still can buy in person when I want to--and even when I go in to pick up something ordered in for me, I almost always find something else that I "need".
|
|
|
|
Post by Brakie on Aug 7, 2013 16:15:43 GMT -8
I was a loyal customer to one long time brand but,now,if I can't see their newest product before I buy it I'll pass-in short that will be a 120 mile round trip to Columbus..
I stopped buying the newer RTR cars and returned to the kits like MDC.I have bought 5 Life Like P2K GP38-2 and one used Atlas SD35 for $45.00 within the last 3 months and avoided all new locomotive releases.That's a 180 degree turn about for me.
-----------------------------------------------
Not everybody has the shop within a reasonable distance, so I'm fortunate that I still can buy in person when I want to--and even when I go in to pick up something ordered in for me, I almost always find something else that I "need".
-----------------------------------------------
True dat and like I mention before if they was a fully stocked(meaning stock newer then the Jurassic age) hobby shop nearby I would be more then willing to spend my hobby dollars there.
|
|
|
|
Post by atsfan on Aug 7, 2013 17:49:55 GMT -8
It happened agin. Was willing to spend cash on newly released engines and cars today.
But none were in the store to buy.
This a large and known store.
Owner basically said he wasn't stocking much any more that wasn't preordered with a credit card.
Why does the store need to exist I wondered............
|
|
|
|
Post by WP 257 on Aug 7, 2013 21:04:16 GMT -8
There has to be more to that story. Did some customer(s) stick him with ordered merchandise that they never picked up, so now he wants cash/credit in hand before ordering?? Is his line of credit no longer very good with some of the distributors (there's 6 or 7 big national distributors left--idk their names)? Maybe he just has been listening to the "just in time delivery" gospel too much?
|
|
TA462
Junior Member
Posts: 88
|
Post by TA462 on Aug 8, 2013 2:59:26 GMT -8
It happened agin. Was willing to spend cash on newly released engines and cars today. But none were in the store to buy. This a large and known store. Owner basically said he wasn't stocking much any more that wasn't preordered with a credit card. Why does the store need to exist I wondered............ It happens to me too. My LHS has had the same stock for years but will order in anything you want. That's fine but I want to see new stuff when I walk into a store. |
|
). 
-- I have to say that that it may come down to whether our brains are wired RTR or Kit/Scratchbuilt, or at least which is our dominant modeling style. 
-- most of the time. If I see a handrail lose, I'd be inclined to fix it, rather than send it back. Not that there much of that at all with Blackstone locos and cars. And not that I mind that much fixing the more frequent issues found on stuff I purchase from other mfg's not quite as fastidious as Blackstone. If it's something that just won't buff out, well, I've never run into much problem getting some sort of adjustment. I try not to let it ruin my day.
